Learning Tools for JavaLearning Tools for Java

A Survey and Tutorial of Four Tools

Adam Murray

University of Ottawa

IntroductionIntroduction

Programming– Dr Java– BlueJ

Web-based– Blackboard– WebCT

No Evaluation Toolkit, sorry

An aside: Java as an An aside: Java as an introductory languageintroductory language

Gartner Group, 1997– Taught in 78% of schools (C++ primary 95%)– Mandatory in 50% (C++ 82%)

Gartner Group, 2000– Taught in 87% of schools (C++ no longer primary,

87%)– Mandatory in 56% (C++ 65%)– 13% replaced Pascal with Java, 21% replaced C++ with

Java

Dr Java Dr Java (built using Dr Java)(built using Dr Java)

Two Panes (third for file mgt):• Interactions Pane

• Immediately see results of expressions & statement• Makes use of REPL• Alternate entry points (testing simpler, no main(), no debugger to learn)• Interactively create GUI

• Definitions Pane (code)• Brace matching, syntax highlighting, automatic indenting, pretty printing• Compiler integration

Diagnosis: Needs work, better support, more tuning

BlueJBlueJ

Premise: Environments for OO are not OO environments; they do not reflect the paradigm

BlueJ is object-oriented Designed for teaching Downsides:

– Student must learn both java and protocols for BlueJ– Does not scale to large systems (at all)– Students must eventually move to Java text after all

BlueJ supportsBlueJ supports

graphical class structure display graphical and textual editing built-in editor, compiler, virtual machine,

debugger, etc. easy-to-use interface ideal for beginners (but unsuitable for pros) interactive object creation interactive object calls interactive application development and testing

BlackboardBlackboard

Public company building e-Education products

Blackboard Learning SystemBlackboard Community Portal SystemBlackboard Transaction System

Blackboard Learning SystemBlackboard Learning System Measuring and improving student performance Increasing instructor productivity Enabling “Web-enhanced” classroom-based teaching and

learning Delivering distance learning Leveraging technology to enhance institutional

competitiveness, applicant selectivity and retention Integrates course and learning management capabilities

with an organization’s student information, security, and authentication protocols

Managing digital assets and content

System UtilitiesSystem Utilities

Content Management and Content SharingAssessment ManagementGradebookCollaboration and CommunicationAssignment and Portfolio Management

Product ArchitectureProduct Architecture

Assessment ManagerAssessment Manager

Easier test generation and modification, more options and fewer clicks

Virtual ClassroomVirtual Classroom

Grade BookGrade Book

A spreadsheet, nothing more, nothing less

WebCTWebCT

E-Learning systems for higher educationSimilar to Blackboard, more widely

receivedCourse ManagementAcademic Enterprise SystemsServices / Seminars

Course Management SystemCourse Management System

WebCourse Builder and Syllabus Tool Communication and Collaboration Tools Assessment Tools Selective Content Release Assignment Submission / Grade Entry Learning Gateway (Portal to many courses) Individualized Look (institution and course

branding)

Course BuilderCourse Builder

Designer Map (Content Manager)Designer Map (Content Manager)

Course HomepageCourse Homepage

ChatChat

AssignmentsAssignments

QuizzesQuizzes

ConclusionsConclusions

ReferencesReferences

Allen, E., Cartwright, R., and Stoler, B. Dr Java: A lightweight pedagogic environment for Java, Proceedings of the 33rd SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, Cincinnati, Kentucky, 2002. Kölling, M. and Rosenberg, J., BlueJ - The Hitch-Hikers Guide to Object Orientation, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute for Production Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Technical Report 2002, No 2, ISSN No. 1601-4219. (PDF)